Low-frequency sound emissions, or infrasound, emitted by wind turbines that are inaudible to the human ear are not harmful to our health, a Finnish study carried out for two years concluded.
Wind turbines are more and more present in the world and many voices are raised to denounce the noise and visual pollution that they represent. In Europe, according to a study by the WindEurope sector association, wind turbines provided 15% of the electricity consumed last year. In 2018, a German study, carried out over two years around a wind farm, concluded that the noise and sight of wind turbines bother almost exclusively those who are opposed to the project. The rest of the inhabitants having adapted to the initial nuisances. In addition, several studies have shown that the audible noise of wind turbines has no negative effects on health – despite the discomfort and sleep disturbances observed in people living nearby. According to Ademe, wind turbines emit background noise, mainly low frequencies between 20 Hz and 100 Hz, as recalled by West France. At a distance of 500 meters, the legal minimum between a wind turbine and a home, noise is generally less than 35 decibels, or less than a quiet conversation.
No embarrassment
A Finnish study published on Monday, and echoed by AFP, reports that low-frequency, inaudible sounds emitted by wind turbines are not harmful to human health. At the request of the Finnish government, researchers spent two years analyzing the effects of low-frequency sound emissions – or infrasound – emitted by wind turbines that cannot be heard by a human ear. The results “do not support the hypothesis that infrasound (…) cause discomfort, the researchers concluded. These symptoms are more likely to be triggered by other factors such as expected symptoms”By people living near wind turbines.
For the study, the researchers used interviews, sound recordings and lab tests to study the possible effects of these sounds on the health of those living within 20 kilometers of generators. The collection of these data shows a significant reduction in infrasound emissions just 15 kilometers from wind turbines. The tests also did not prove that the sounds of the turbines disturbed the heartbeat.
The French love wind turbines
If the voices against wind turbines are heard, the reality is quite different. According to a survey carried out by the independent polling institution Harris Interactive, in 2018, 73% of French people say they have a good image of wind power. A figure that climbs to 80% among residents of wind farms. France has around 9,000 wind turbines, a far cry from the 26,000 German machines.
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